Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Flock's Diner is an on-line resource that is designed for those hungry for God, it is a post/past-modern watering hole for thought. Captain/Rabbi Jonathan Gainey brings revelation from The Word with a messianic punch of truth and zeal. You will gain understanding and wisdom with application for today from yesterday.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Some things in the south are just ... well from the south. In our division we have a men's camp coming up soon and in some prep notes I noticed the attachment for the Pig Pick'in crew. It said this ... please make sure that the Colonel gets to pick some pig. God bless the Colonel.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

I filled our mini-van, well the Generals mini-van, up last week when we were on vacation and it cost me 52.2 % of my weekly salary. That was more than my rent or food, sure I only make $ 175 dollars after taxes but that is crazy.

This made me think though, and I'm not trying to be a conspiracy theorist; I'm over that, if economics keep going the way that they are we may have some serious issues to deal with.

ONE - If fuel increased 50 % in the next 5 years it would cost a substantial amount to transport people back and forth to their worshiping communities. Plus I think that people would be less likely to use fuel to go to Church, this would impact attendance and eventual the core programs that are barely alive now. (no offence)

TWO - If an economic trend of inflation, increasing interest rates, and a higher cost of living continues in general people would be forced to collapse their social lives and fellowshiping from what it currently looks like. Mega Churches would implode and become empty super-structures.

THE ANSWER - Small Group Ministry. If all our current amenities and conveniences were lost the Church could only survive by coming together in local tight knit bodies of worship. What does this look like, well, it looks like neighbors meeting together in each others homes, sharing so that no one went without. The neighborhood that consists of several or dosens of small groups would still worship together but the flesh and bones of this super-simple-natural Church would be neighbors sharing their lot, be it simple, in order that every person would have enough. Even if the greatest economic depression of history hit America these cell based Churches would thrive and grow.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

I have been praying a lot lately about different seasons that Jesus gives us, how some are close to our families and others take us far away. I really have experienced that by following God's will, even if it is far away from friends and family, us being obedient really frees Him up to move in our families. I have experienced a blessing watching him touch our family even as we have been far away, such a blessing !

It is still hard being away though and some tears were shed together thinking how short the moments are when we get back into the groove of morning coffee with Mom and Dad, home cooked meals, kisses on the cheek, familiar smells and sights etc.

I am also learning that our families are equally due our witness the same as each person we minister to at mission; and that Jesus has placed many divine opportunities to share his love right around the dinner table at home.

Thank God for family; let's cherish each and every moment.

As Psalm 68 says ... God takes the lonely and places them in families. Families are his model of community and fellowship.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Today at cell group one of our new kids asked me, " so what is the mission."

I gave him the speech etc. The thing is though as I was sharing our vision for community and restoration it did not excite me, I was not taken aback. It reminded me that we need to be asking ourselves this question more often, and when we do we better be about to burst with joy; at least that is my desire.

I want to reinspire myself everytime I tell someone what I do for Jesus. After all I am alive forever in joy made complete in eternal love sent from Heaven above that fills my soul with Glory. Amen !

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk with out having feet.Funny it seems, but by keeping it's dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.